Assistant: Janeth John, 28
Opening hours: 7.30am – 8pm, Mon - Fri
7.30am – 7pm, weekends
Business: stationery, greeting cards, fabric, etc
Janeth ended up working in Upendo Stationery by chance. Six years ago a relative told her about a job as a housekeeper. She got the job and worked faithfully for the family for five years. Her boss was very pleased with her efforts and trustworthiness and one day he offered her a job in his shop instead. This has proved a very good transition, since the pay is better and the work much less stressful.
She has now been in the job for almost one year and runs the shop on her own, but would love to own her own business. She gets the stock from wholesalers in the centre of Dar es Salaam and pays to get them transported to the shop. Schools equipment and greeting cards are the most popular items.